3 Best CTEK Battery Chargers for Car 2019 (Review & Buying Guide)

CTEK AB is a Swedish company with a world-wide reputation. Since the last decades, they have been the first to pioneer the smart car charger. Their use of state-of-the-art technology means their car chargers give you the best charge and maintenance available.

A battery charger doesn’t have to be just for emergencies. The best CTEK battery charger models are also designed for long-term maintenance. They can save you from a failure, too, but they can also prevent it before it happens.

Sounds good, right? How to charge a car battery? Check out the full reviews below to find the one that’s ideal for you.

The CTEK 56-864 is designed for maintenance more than emergencies. With fully automatic charging and maintenance in 8 steps, this battery charger is perfect to maximize battery life and performance.

Let’s start with this 8-step, fully-automatic CTEK charger. It’s an impressive unit that can optimize the performance of any size or style of battery. The accessories that come with it also make it incredibly versatile, capable of charging batteries other models can’t reach.

CTEK 56-864- a charger cable- is Safe To Use In All Climate Situations.

This is truly an all-weather charger. It’s rated for environments as cold as -4°F and as hot as 122°F – suitable for all but the most extreme conditions. It also won’t get damaged by dust or rain and has built-in shock protection.

You also don’t need to be a car expert to use this charger. It goes through the 8-step process automatically and it’s smart enough to know what kind of charge your battery needs. The LED display on the top clearly shows the charge progress.

The CTEK 56-864 Battery Charger is designed for maintenance more than emergencies. It will take a long time to charge a battery that’s completely drained. With enough time, though, it will improve performance in batteries of any size.

The Multi US 3300 is a more compact and streamlined version of the charger above. You might be surprised how much power you can get from a charger that’ll fit in your palm. It’s the ideal charger for use with household vehicles, equally easy to use in your garage or on the road.

CTEK (56-158) MULTI US 3300 is Suitable For Use With Household Vehicles.

We love that the Multi US 3300 is a truly all-purpose charger. It’s all-weather, first of all, and functions well in a range of temperatures and climate conditions. You can even permanently attach it to a problematic battery for continuous maintenance.

There’s one downside to its small size: the cables are equally compact. It’s a stretch connecting them on even a standard car battery. Aside from that, the design is user-friendly. The use of icons with LED light indicators makes it easy to interpret for a layman.

Even though it’s small, this charger has about the same charging time as the model above. It will also test and desulphated your battery, handy extra features you might not expect in a unit this small. That combination of convenience and functionality earns its place on this list.

CTEK 40-206 MXS 5.0 Battery Charger

If speed is what you’re after, you probably want to check out the CTEK MXS 5.0. It’s the fastest charger in the CTEK arsenal. Anyone charging larger or more demanding batteries will find this one right up their alley, as well.

A lot of chargers run extremely hot, but not the CTEK 40-206 MXS 5.0-12 Volt Battery Charger.

A combination of higher power output and advanced temperature compensation provides the improved performance of the MXS 5.0. A lot of chargers run extremely hot, but not this model. It’s more efficient, and that translates to a faster charge.

Now when we say faster, keep in mind this is still a trickle charger. You’ll need a few hours to get a car battery from empty to full. Where you’ll most notice the speed increase is when you’re topping off a battery, which it does in a blink.

The status indicators on this model aren’t quite as easy to interpret as the others above. The flip side of this is it gives you more information, like whether your battery is sulfated. Changing programs and modes are simple, too.

The MXS 5.0 is a must-have if you have a larger battery. It’s versatile, too, and any car owner can benefit from the powerful and intelligent design.

Pros

Fastest CTEK charger

Powerful charge great for larger batteries

Temperature sensors prevent overheating

Works well on both standard and dry cell batteries

Multiple programs adjust charge to size of battery

Remembers program settings between uses

Cons

Controls and indicators a bit harder to interpret

Won’t work with the CTEK cigarette lighter adapter

Who’s it for?

Why Buy CTEK Battery Charger?

As mentioned in the introduction that CTEK is consistently on the cutting edge. That’s not the only thing that draws people to these chargers, though. Here are some of our favorite features, which you’ll find on all the chargers reviewed above.

Recondition and Desulphation Modes

Most CTEK chargers will both desulphate and recondition your battery. The recondition function can restore even badly discharged batteries back to their full capacity. By continuously charging it, the battery maintains maximum capacity – a great thing for its long-term help.

Desulphation is a term you might not be familiar with. It’s basically equivalent to cleaning out your battery. Lead sulfate crystals are left behind during a battery’s charge cycle. Over time, these can build up and lower the battery’s capacity. CTEK chargers remove these crystals, improving performance.

Advanced Safety Features

Most battery chargers have a polarity protection feature which will prevent use if the clamps and poles aren’t connected right. CTEK chargers also have spark protection. If the clamps are accidentally touched together, the charger will shut down automatically, keeping you safe.

Our Verdict: The Best CTEK Battery Charger

These are all great products, but if pressed we’d have to say the CTEK 40-206 MXS 5.0 is the best overall. It has everything you’ll find on the others but adds power and some handy features. We like that it’s equally useful for any car, taking the guesswork out of your purchase.

CTEK battery chargers don’t just fill up your battery – they can truly bring it back to life

Start using one today to give your battery more longevity and long-term power. It’s a small investment that will give you big returns!